LALIT VARMA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, through this petition, has challenged the order dated 28.04.2015 passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Lucknow, with a further prayer to command the respondents to include the name of the petitioner in the panel prepared for the post of Additional Secretary in the Government of India at par with other officers of Indian Administrative Service of 1984 batch with all consequential service benefits.

(2.) The petitioner, who is an officer of Indian Administrative Service, U.P. Cadre, was allocated 1984 batch on his appointment. The respondent no.1 issued an Office Memorandum on 05.01.1996, laying down the procedure for selection and appointment of officers to Secretarial posts and above the rank of under Secretary to the Government of India and certain important non-Secretarial posts. On 01.01.2008, the Government of India issued the empanelment guidelines for the post of Secretary and Additional Secretary, laying down the guidelines, procedure and qualification for such empanelment.

(3.) The petitioner was qualified and eligible for being empanelled on the post of Additional Secretary in the Government of India being an officer of 1984 batch as his counterparts of 1984 batch were considered for empanelment to the post of Additional Secretary in the Government of India.